Pack holder-refold stand

ABSTRACT

An easily moveable and adjustable stand for supporting a supply of continuous forms for processing in a business machine and for receiving, refolding and supporting processed continuous forms emerging from the machine. The stand can be pivotally attached to the machine for rapid loading and unloading without having to be realigned. The stand has several adjustable shelves which can be placed in different positions for supporting and receiving one or more stacks of continuous forms.

[1s] 3,692,189 [4 1 Sept. 19, 1972 United States Patent Preston 3,572,512 3/1971 Schray.... .......21l/l33 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS PACK HOLDER-REFOLD STAND Preston, Rochester,

[72] Inventor:

Norman H.

[73] Assignee: Burroughs Corporation, Mich.

Primary Examiner-Ramon S. Britts [22] Dec. 1970 Attorney-Kenneth L. Miller and Kevin R. Peterson [21] Appl. N0.: 100,214

ABSTRACT An easily moveable and adjustable stand for supporting a supply of continuous forms for processing in a business machine and for receiving, refolding and supporting processed continuous forms emerging from the machine. The stand can be pivotally attached to the machine for rapid loading and unloading without having to be realigned. The stand has several adjustable shelves which can be placed in different positions vm [52] 11.8. 211/86 [51] Int. 5/08 [58] Field of Search......2ll/l34, 148, 133, 151, 177, 211/86, 150, 181, 153; 248/361, 229, 226 R; 108/108, 109, 106

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS for supporting and recei g one or more stacks of continuous forms.

850,658 4/1907 Koonce..................2l1/176 X 1,621,176 3/1927 Sonin..................248/229 UX 1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED8EP19|972 3,692,189

SHEET l-UF 3 INVENTOR. NORMAN H. PRESTON ATTORNEY PATENTEDszmmz 3.692.189

sum 2 or a FIG.

INVENTOR. NORMAN H. PRESTON ATTORNEY PATENTEDSEP 19 1912 v sum 3 or 3 INVEA-VTOR.

NORMAN H. PRESTON ATTORNEY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In view of the rapid increase in usage of large and small scale data processing machines a problem has arisen as to a means for handling the large amount of paper processed. When one of these machines is programmed to carry out a repetitive function such as the sending out of notices or tax bills, the machine can operate using pre-printed continuous forms upon which only the variable-information such as the name and address of the party need be typed. When operating with continuous forms a data processing machine can useseveral hundred forms in the course of a few hours of operation. A means must be provided then for supplying new forms and for the storing and removing of processed forms.

At the present time there is no convenient means for handling the large amount of paper that a data processing machine uses. It is common practice to place cardboard cartons of folded forms behind the machines on the floor and to feed the forms into the machine and to then let the completed forms dump on the floor or into an empty box. It is obvious that this is not a convenient system for handling the forms. Also, it causes the area behind the machine to be littered with boxes and lengths of continuous forms which are feeding from supply boxes or entering receiving boxes. The pack holder-refold stand of the present invention is intended to be a simple device for overcoming the abovementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a moveable and adjustable stand is provided for supporting a supply of continuous forms for use in a business machine and for receiving and supporting the printed forms emerging from the machine. The stand has a base member upon which are mounted a pair of upright shelf supporting members. Both the base member and the shelf supporting members are intended to hold several identical moveable and adjustable shelves which can be placed in different configurations for supplying or receiving one or more continuous forms. The shelves supported by the upright supporting member have shelf brackets to hold their remote portions. The inward portions of the shelves act both as load bearing surfaces and as paper guides depending upon the configuration in which the shelves are arranged. Each of the shelves is adapted to receive pile stops for maintaining the alignment of a stack of forms being fed into the machine and for acting as guides for refolding and stacking the forms emerging from the machine. The stand is adapted to be clamped to the back of the machine during operation and to pivot away from the machine for loading and unloading while maintaining the relative alignment of the stand and machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further advantages thereof, will best be understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the several members making up the stand of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial diagrammatic perspective view of the stand of the present invention assembled in a four shelf configuration.

FIG. 3 is a partial diagrammatic perspective view of the stand assembled in a two shelf configuration.

FIG. 4 is a partial diagrammatic perspective view of the stand assembled in a single raised shelf configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION tion thereof or as a separate member joined to the end member 11. A second substantially identical end member 15 is also provided with a lower shelf 17 which can be a portion of 15 or, as shown in FIG. 1, a length of metal angle rivoted to the inner portion of 15 by spaced rivots 19. The end members 11 and 15 are joined together at a common end by a side member 21. Theside member 21 has a short vertical portion and a substantially larger horizontal portion in alignment with the shelves 13 and 17 on the end members 11 and 15, respectively. A bottom member 23 is joined to the end members 11 and 15 and maintains them in substantially parallel relationship. The bottom member 23 can be joined to the end members as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 or it can be joined so that its upper surface is in alignment with the shelf portions 13 and 17. The shelf portions 13 and 17, of end members 11 and 15, and the horizontal portion of side member 21 and base member 23 form a substantially flat shelf supporting frame.

Each of the members forming the base 10 should be made from heavy steel stock or aluminum extrusions to support the substantial weight of several cartons of continuous forms. As shown in FIG. 1, the end members 11 and 15 are square, hollow, steel tubing.

Each of the end members 11 and 15 is provided with a pair of identical castor supporting frames 25 each of which supports a castor 27. The castors 27 allow the stand to be freely moved about during the loading-unloading and positioning process relative to the business machine. They also allow the stand to be moved along with the machine.

A pair of vertical stub posts 29 and 31 are mounted on the top of end members 11 and 15, respectively. Obviously, the stub posts could be mounted outside of or inside of the end members to obtain the same result. For simplicity and strength it is preferred to mount the posts on the top surface of the end members. A pair of upright shelf supporting members 33 and 35 are adapted to telescope over the posts 29 and 31 and to be aligned by the posts in a vertical spaced relationship. Both the posts and the upright shelf supporting members should be made of heavy steel stock or aluminum extrusions to support the weight of cartons of continuous forms. As shown, the upright. members 33 and 35 are substantially square, hollow steel tubing.

The upright members 33 and 35 are provided with shelf supports 37 and 39 and paper guide supports 41 and 43. The paper guide supports hold a pair of identical wire members 45 which fit over the top portion of the upright members forming a closed loop through which the continuous forms can pass depending on the configuration in which the stand is arranged.

A pair of clamp members 47 and 49 are provided for attachment to the base of the business machine with which the stand is to be used. The clamps 47 and 49 are held to the machine by bolts 51. Each of the clamps 47 and 49 has a projecting portion 53 which extends over the end members 11 and when the stand is in position behind the business machine. Each of the end members 11 and l5.has an aperture 55 which can be aligned with an aperture 57 in the portion 53 of each of the clamps 47 and 49, respectively. A pair of substantially identical pins 59 are adapted to fit through the apertures 55 and 57 to hold the stand in position locked to a business machine. In the loading and unloading of the stand one pin 59 can be removed from the clamp 47 or 49 to allow the stand to pivot away from the back of the machine while maintaining its position relative to the machine. The stand can then be unloaded and reloaded without having to be realigned with the machine.

In the preferred embodiment the stand of the present invention is adapted to hold up to four shelves. For convenience of assembly and utilization of the stand, each of the shelves 61 is identical and is of a type of construction known generally as wire form. This type of construction has a very good strength to weight ratio, is relatively immune to static build-up when compared to flat sheet metals or plastics, and prevents the accumulation of dust and paper lint while in use.

The shelves 61 are fabricated of three tiers of wire having two parallel layers of wire and one shorter layer normal to the parallel layers. In this construction, one side of the shelf has a relatively flat working surface while the opposite side has a step due to the projecting layers of wire. Since the short layer of wire does not completely cross the width of the shelf 61 two open areas are provided in the shelf which can act as web guides depending on the manner in which the shelves are arranged on the stand. The more dense portion of the shelf functions as the weight carrying portion of the shelf. The shelves should be made of wire strong enough to support the anticipated load. In the preferred form bright plated steel wires 3/16 inch in diameter were used. When the shelves are mounted on shelf supports 37 and 39 the open wire construction allows the shelves to be adjustably moved in or out on the supports, note FIG. 3.

In view of the open type of construction used in the shelf 61, substantially identical pile stops 63 can be fitted into the shelves to guide the continuous forms or web being fed from or to the shelves. The pile stops 63 are fabricated from a pair of bent Ushaped 'members 65 which are joined together by bridging members 67. The free end of the U-shaped members 65 are bent relative to each other so that they will exert a frictional force against the wires making up the shelf 61 when they are aligned and slid into place between the tiers of wire. The pile stops can be made of steel wire approximately one-eighth inch in diameter.

When a shelf 61 is supported between shelf supports 37 and 39 a pair of wire shelf brackets 69 are used to hold the remote portion of the shelf. The shelf brackets 69 are adapted to hook over a wire on the shelf 61 and to fit into an aperture 71 in the upright members 33 and As previously indicated, the stand of the present invention can be arranged in several different configurations. In FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 different arrangements of the shelves and pile stops are shown. The arrangements shown in these Figures are not limiting of the invention but are illustrative of a few possible combinations.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown, it will be understood, of course, that it is not desired that the invention be limited thereto since modifications may be made, andit is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A moveable and adjustable stand for supporting a supply of continuous forms for use in a business machine and for receiving and supporting the printed forms exiting from the machine comprising:

a pair of spaced end members,

a side member joined to a common end of each of said end members,

a bottom member joined to and extending between each of said end members,

said end, side and bottom members forming a shelf supporting base for the stand,

a pair of upright members, one of said upright members being disposed on each of said side end members,

a shelf support on each of said upright members,

at least one shelf which is adapted to be supported between said end members or between said shelf supports on said upright members,

a pair of shelf support brackets adapted to be supported by said upright members and to support the remote portions of a shelf mounted on said shelf supports,

a guide for the continuous forms adapted to be mounted between and supported by said upright members oppositely disposed clamp members, one for each of said end members, each clamp member including a projection extending over said end member and an aperture therethrough for receiving a removable hinge pin and a portion arranged for attachment to associated machine apparatus and further including an aperture therethrough cooperating with said associated machine so as to provide a swingable hinge upon the insertion of said hinge pin permitting the stand to be hingedly, pivotally moved toward and away from said associated machine. 

1. A moveable and adjustable stand for supporting a supply of continuous forms for use in a business machine and for receiving and supporting the printed forms exiting from the machine comprising: a pair of spaced end members, a side member joined to a common end of each of said end members, a bottom member joined to and extending between each of said end members, said end, side and bottom members forming a shelf supporting baSe for the stand, a pair of upright members, one of said upright members being disposed on each of said side end members, a shelf support on each of said upright members, at least one shelf which is adapted to be supported between said end members or between said shelf supports on said upright members, a pair of shelf support brackets adapted to be supported by said upright members and to support the remote portions of a shelf mounted on said shelf supports, a guide for the continuous forms adapted to be mounted between and supported by said upright members oppositely disposed clamp members, one for each of said end members, each clamp member including a projection extending over said end member and an aperture therethrough for receiving a removable hinge pin and a portion arranged for attachment to associated machine apparatus and further including an aperture therethrough cooperating with said associated machine so as to provide a swingable hinge upon the insertion of said hinge pin permitting the stand to be hingedly, pivotally moved toward and away from said associated machine. 